Ye seemed shocked by this news. Xiao had a darker look on his face, as if he suspected that Jia Jingzi would end up announcing this sooner or later. Chuang's gaze finally turned to his master, his attention caught by his words.
"I understand, shizun. This disciple will take some time to think about it," Xiao concluded calmly.
"What?! No! He's our shizun!" Ye exclaimed.
"So what?" Xiao continued, raising an eyebrow and glaring at him coldly. "He's right. It's normal to think about our future and our well-being first. Our shizun is reasonable, he's a good master and knows when to step back when necessary. He is the best judge of his abilities and condition. If he thinks we should be entrusted to another teacher, then so be it."
"No. The Celestial Mirror chose him. This disciple chose him. He will stay with shizun," Ye stubbornly contradicted him.
The sect had, in fact, a very original way of conducting its entrance exams and assigning disciples.
The Thousand Reflections Sect's teachings assert that each soul emits a "spiritual reflection" that is invisible to the uninitiated but can be perceived intuitively.
When a disciple wants to join the sect, they begin by meditating in the Labyrinth of Reflections, a complex crystalline structure that reveals illusions mirroring their heart, fears, and aspirations. Once they emerge, enriched by this experience, each disciple is then free to observe the various masters of the sect and their teachings. Through their observations, the disciples seek the master whose spiritual reflection resonates most with them.
When they believe they have found the right master, a special ceremony takes place. The master and disciple stand before the Celestial Mirror. If their reflections harmonize, it confirms that they are meant to work together, and the master-disciple bond is formalized. If they do not harmonize, the disciple must return to the Labyrinth of Reflections.
Jia Jingzi looks at them with a mixture of sadness and resignation. He leans forward in his chair, gesturing for them to come closer. Unlike the other masters, he is gentle and perhaps not strict enough. He strokes his students' heads, as if to reassure them.
"You have... truly brightened my life these past few years, and I thank you for that. I know that the mirror has chosen us and that it is not conventional to entrust you to another. I don't even know if another shizun will agree to take you... but I myself am not a conventional shizun. Perhaps I have been too kind... I let you become too attached."
He swallowed, some of the words stuck in his throat. His caresses became more tender, but he eventually withdrew his hand.
"You will have to work hard to prove your worth to the other masters. The more successful you are, the more inclined they will be to take you under their wing and teach you. It's the best thing for you."
While Xiao nods in agreement with his master's words, his eyes shining with ambition, and bows respectfully, agreeing that it is a very good decision, Ye stares at him with doe eyes and clings to the hem of his robe.
"No, shizun, please don't push me away! You don't need to blame yourself. I'll work harder if I have to, but I can make up for my shortcomings."
"You? You almost failed the Labyrinth of Reflections Trial, tss," Xiao sneered mockingly, crossing his arms.
"If shizun wants me to become more powerful because he doesn't feel up to the task as a master, I will, as long as it means he won't kick me out."
"You're shooting yourself in the foot. We don't just stay at the bottom of the mountain when we can reach the top."
The two seem to strongly disagree. In the midst of all this, Chuang finally speaks up.
"Only with shizun can I do what I want. This disciple will also stay with him. He has no desire to be the best cultivator like Xiao-shixiong anyway."
Xiao clicks his tongue in displeasure and glares at him in turn, refraining from replying.
Jia Jingzi presses his lips together at this spectacle, but eventually turns to Chuang.
"Chuang. Becoming strong is important so that you can protect yourself later on. The world is dangerous; who knows when a powerful demon might reappear? Your shizun is no longer able to protect you. Being strong isn't just about being able to keep yourself safe, but also about ensuring the safety of those you love."
He slides his hand over his chin, pensively.
"I haven't yet informed the other masters of my decision... but I can't let you miss your chance. I'll leave the choice up to you. If you want to start learning from someone else right away, go observe the others and give me the name of the teacher you would like to have, and I will talk to them. If, in two months, you still haven't given me a name and you're still not ready to take the Thousand Reflections Trial... I will choose one for you myself."